Shrub trimming to save water - Ask Extension
During drought conditions, e.g. CA, would it help to reduce the water consumed by shrubs and trees by trimming back some of their foliage? It would se...
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Shrub trimming to save water #207711
Asked August 19, 2014, 6:12 PM EDT
During drought conditions, e.g. CA, would it help to reduce the water consumed by shrubs and trees by trimming back some of their foliage? It would seem that with less green leaves to need and use water, the shrubs and trees could get by with less water. Thanks, Bill Taft, OSU-BSME-1960
Placer County California
Expert Response
Hi Bill,
Unfortunately, the pruning solution would not work. When a plant is pruned or a branch/leaves are removed by nature, the plant will respond to that injury and try to put on new growth and in some cases more than what was originally removed. In drought conditions one of the best ways to conserve water is to help the plant not loose as much moisture to the environment by adjusting how water is applied and adding cool mulches around the root system. Depending on the type of plant, most trees and shrubs have shallow wide spreading root systems. If you can make a point to water to at least a 1 foot depth and water as wide or wider than the drip-line of the plant, this will encourage deeper and wider spreading roots. Most plants will maintain roots in the top 18" of soil if water and oxygen are present. If you then fill these basins with bark, compost, or other cool mulches the soil temperature will stay cooler in the summer and reduce the amount of moisture lost to the air. These mulches will also feed the soil as microbes will eat on the organic matter and help feed the plants at slow and manageable natural rate.
Unfortunately, the pruning solution would not work. When a plant is pruned or a branch/leaves are removed by nature, the plant will respond to that injury and try to put on new growth and in some cases more than what was originally removed. In drought conditions one of the best ways to conserve water is to help the plant not loose as much moisture to the environment by adjusting how water is applied and adding cool mulches around the root system. Depending on the type of plant, most trees and shrubs have shallow wide spreading root systems. If you can make a point to water to at least a 1 foot depth and water as wide or wider than the drip-line of the plant, this will encourage deeper and wider spreading roots. Most plants will maintain roots in the top 18" of soil if water and oxygen are present. If you then fill these basins with bark, compost, or other cool mulches the soil temperature will stay cooler in the summer and reduce the amount of moisture lost to the air. These mulches will also feed the soil as microbes will eat on the organic matter and help feed the plants at slow and manageable natural rate.
